Duluth creek fish kill after city releases disinfected water

In July, over 1,000 fish were discovered dead in Tischer Creek, Duluth, following the city's release of approximately 1.7 million gallons of chloraminated water. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is currently investigating the incident, which has raised concerns about the impact of the discharged water on aquatic life. Although the drainage is deemed safe for human consumption, it created conditions that were harmful to fish and other organisms in the creek. Pollution officials conducted a count of the dead fish and collected invertebrate samples from the creek in August to assess the ecological impact. These samples are expected to serve as biological indicators to evaluate the extent of the fish kill and the recovery process of the creek's ecosystem. The results from these tests will take several months to analyze. Chloramine, a disinfectant used in drinking water, is known for its longevity in water pipes and lower production of disinfection by-products compared to chlorine. While the Centers for Disease Control considers chloramine safe in small amounts, its effects on aquatic life can be detrimental when released in large quantities, as seen in this incident. The investigation aims to determine the full impact of the fish kill and to inform future decisions regarding the management and recovery of Tischer Creek. The findings will be crucial in guiding actions to prevent similar occurrences in the future and to ensure the health of the local aquatic ecosystem.